Leadership Laboratory

Leadership Lab: STI Degree Candidates' Leadership Essays

SANS Technology Institute's mission is to develop the leaders of the future for the information security industry. One of our admission requirements is that an applicant complete an essay describing leadership qualities they have demonstrated in the past.

Leadership Essay SANS Technology Institute

May 23rd, 2009
By Enoch Laudie
As a US Government employee working Cyber Security matters, I provide leadership and education to the public about computer security issues in several ways.

As a coordinator for a government outreach group, I frequently offer suggestions to members for improving network security and review emerging threats and trends. Being part of the SANS community keeps me current with threats and trends.

I have the opportunity to speak with various business and community groups about Internet threats such as identity theft, protecting children online, and network security. The ability to present a technical subject to a variety of audiences can sometimes be a challenge. I have enjoyed the dynamic style and personalities of SANS instructors such as Mike Poor, Rob Lee, and especially Ed Skoudis. As a SANS Masters Degree candidate, I will continue to benefit from the presentations of SANS instructors, whether from the technical content or the meta-content of their presentations.

I frequently visit companies to assist with network security and site assessments. Although I already possess a high degree of network security competence and experience, some of which can be attributed to past SANS training, I will benefit from the future training anticipated as part of the SANS Masters Degree. The companies which I visit will have a derivative benefit of the SANS training which I receive.

I hope to continue to associate with the people who attend and teach the SANS classes. I believe these are people of the highest caliber, with whom I have much in common and need to network with. I hope to promote further levels of trust and cooperation between public and private sector information security professionals such as those who participate in SANS trainings.

December 9, 2008